'Now India! Really?' The Apprentice Director Furious After Censorship Issues Delay Film's Release

Filmmaker Ali Abbasi’s new project The Apprentice is a bold portrayal of Donald Trump’s early life. The much-talked-about film has hit a roadblock in India, where censorship issues have stalled its release. What was supposed to be an October 18, 2024, debut has now turned into a controversy over cuts requested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which the filmmakers have refused to make. Abbasi, known for his fearless takes on social and political themes, didn’t hold back in his response to the censorship issue.

“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with these people! I ran away from Iranian censorship only to meet corporate censorship in the US. Now India! Really? Censorship seems to be an epidemic at the moment. We need a VACCINE!" he expressed in a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), regarding his frustration over the growing trend of censorship.

The CBFC’s concerns reportedly stem from some of the film’s explicit scenes, particularly one depicting Trump in a controversial moment with his former wife, Ivana Trump. Despite these objections, a private screening of the uncut version was held in Mumbai on October 16, 2024, for select viewers.

A few months ago, Monkey Man, an action thriller directed by and starring Dev Patel, was similarly delayed in India due to its political themes, despite not being officially banned.

Meanwhile, The Apprentice has stirred up even more controversy on a global scale. Donald Trump’s lawyers have blasted the film as “garbage" and “malicious," with Trump himself calling it a fictional and exaggerated account of his life, reports The Hindu.

The movie, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, stars Sebastian Stan as a young Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor, Roy Cohn. It follows Trump’s ambitious rise in the 1970s New York real estate scene, from wild parties with Ivana Trump (played by Maria Bakalova) to his relentless pursuit of success.

The film’s trailer shows a young Trump eager to prove himself as the second son in a wealthy family, with Cohn guiding him through his ruthless climb to power. Alongside Stan and Strong, the film features an ensemble cast including Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan, Ben Sullivan and Charlie Carrick in key roles.

Following its Cannes debut, The Apprentice was released in the US on October 11 but whether and when it will make it to Indian screens remains uncertain.